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Pepper is a very delicate and capricious crop. This is all due to its extremely sensitive root system, which reacts to even the slightest change in care conditions. This is especially true for newly emerged seedlings and young seedlings. Therefore, using the lunar calendar when growing this crop can significantly increase the chances of obtaining healthy and strong pepper seedlings. Moreover, the coming 2024 will provide a lot of opportunities for this. About when is the best time to produce sowing pepper seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2024, as well as about favorable days for caring for young plants, we will tell you in this article.
What is a lunar calendar and why is it needed?
Of all the celestial bodies, the Moon is closest to us - the only satellite of our planet. It is she who often looks into our window in all phases of her cycle. It's no secret that it influences the Earth and its inhabitants. We can observe this influence during high and low tides. In addition, it also has an effect on plants, causing them to grow better, or, conversely, to slow down their growth.Ancient farmers knew about this feature, who sowed various crops depending on the phases of the Earth’s satellite.
The lunar calendar was first used by the ancient priests of Babylon. It was they who noticed the constantly repeating periods of changing lunar phases. Observing the movements of the earth's satellite, they developed the first lunar calendar and based it on the lunar month, consisting of lunar days.
Each cycle or month of the lunar calendar begins on the new moon - the period when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction. But this calendar is not tied to the Sun, and the lunar day does not correspond to the length of an ordinary day. The shortest of them can last from 6 to 12 hours. In total, a lunar month can have from 29 to 30 days.
The modern lunar calendar is not just observations of the phases of the earth's satellite. This is a whole science, which also includes the presence of the Moon in one of the 12 zodiac signs during periods.
Therefore, in this calendar they continue to use 12 signs of the zodiac circle.
So what is the use of this calendar for gardeners? Natural rhythms are directly related to the phase of the earth's satellite. For example, the growing Moon promotes the rapid emergence of seedlings. The waning Moon, on the contrary, helps to build up the root system. In addition, the characteristics of the zodiac signs through which the earth’s satellite passes in certain phases are also important. Using this data correctly, you can grow strong and healthy plants that can bring a good harvest.
The influence of lunar phases and zodiac signs on pepper seedlings
In one lunar month, the earth’s satellite goes through 4 cycles:
- I quarter;
- II quarter;
- III quarter;
- IV quarter.
In the first two quarters the Moon waxes, and in the 3rd and 4th quarters it wanes. It was this feature that was used as the basis for the lunar calendar used by gardeners. It is believed that along with the growth of the earth's satellite, plants bearing fruit above the ground also grow. But the waning Moon affects roots and root crops. That is why it is recommended to plant pepper seedlings during the growth period of the earth’s satellite.
But not only its phases affect pepper seedlings. The zodiac sign in which it is located also matters. As you know, zodiac signs are divided into 4 groups:
- fiery, which includes Sagittarius, Aries and Leo;
- earthly, including Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo;
- air, which includes Aquarius, Gemini and Libra;
- aquatic, namely Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio.
Each of these zodiac groups has its own special influence on plants.
Fire signs are able to influence the ground part of plants, improving its growth and fruit formation. Especially when the young Moon is in these signs. It is at this time that it is recommended to plant pepper seedlings.
Now let's look at the earth signs. Who else but them can influence the underground part of plants. It is the roots and fruits hidden in the earth that will grow during the passage of the earth’s satellite through Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. And since the pepper plant bears fruit from the ground part, planting it as seedlings while the Moon is in these signs is not the best idea. But this time is great for fertilizing the soil.
The time of passage of the Earth's satellite through the signs of the air element is also not very suitable for sowing pepper.At this time, all the effects are directed towards flowers, which do not include pepper. Also, this period is not suitable for watering flowering peppers. They will become more susceptible to diseases and pest attacks.
The moon in water signs is the best period for watering and fertilizing, especially if it is growing. Plants watered at this time will be able to grow strong bushes, and their fruits will be large in size. But you should still refrain from planting seeds while the earth’s satellite is in these signs.
Now let’s summarize, when is the best time to plant pepper seedlings and care for them:
- on the days of the new and full moon, as well as on the days of its eclipse, any garden work should not be carried out;
- the best opportunity to plant, replant and fertilize plants comes when the earth's satellite passes through Capricorn, Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio;
- not all seeds will sprout if you plant pepper seedlings while the Earth’s satellite is in Virgo, Sagittarius and Aries;
- There will be almost zero germination when sowing seeds during the Moon in Gemini, Aquarius, Leo and Libra, but this time will be the best for weeding the pepper bed.
- a favorable time for watering occurs when the Moon is in the signs of the water element, namely Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio;
- It is better to fertilize with minerals during the period of growth of the earth’s satellite, and it is better to apply organic fertilizers only during the III and IV quarters of the Moon;
All of these recommendations apply year after year. It’s not for nothing that many gardeners, before the start of the planting season, purposefully check the lunar calendar, determining the most suitable days for planting and caring for crops.
Without proper care of this crop, even planting on the most favorable day will not bring good results.
Growing peppers for seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2024
The lunar calendar for 2024 is very favorable to gardeners. He will give them quite a few days when they can plant pepper seedlings and take care of them.
Sowing peppers for seedlings in 2024
Considering that the seeds of this crop take quite a long time to germinate, they should be planted in February or March. Moreover, in February there are many more days when it is best to plant pepper seedlings than in March.
Advice! When planting seeds in April, you should give preference to ultra-early, early or mid-early varieties.
Late varieties planted in April may not have time to form their fruits.
Picking and transplanting pepper seedlings in 2024
Picking and replanting young plants is a very important procedure for this crop. It has a very weak root system, so it can very poorly tolerate a change in its usual place of growth. In order to minimize the consequences of these procedures, it is recommended to look at the lunar calendar before starting them.
As a rule, picking and replanting of young plants is carried out until June inclusive:
Fertilizing pepper seedlings in 2024
It is also better to fertilize both young and mature seedlings according to the lunar calendar. This will allow the roots to fully absorb all the beneficial substances from the ground.
Planting pepper according to the lunar calendar, as well as caring for the seedlings, does not free the gardener from carrying out full and comprehensive care for this crop. But by consulting this calendar, you can significantly improve the results of certain procedures and increase your chances of getting a bountiful harvest.
